China Warns Donald Trump Against Pulling U.S. Out Of Paris Climate Pact

Without mentioning Donald Trump by name, Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday urged the president-elect to keep the United States in the historic Paris climate pact ― an accord Trump has promised to “cancel.”

In what appeared to be a clear swing at Trump’s “America First” policies, Xi defended free trade and warned countries to “refrain from pursuing their own interests at the expense of others.”

“We must promote trade and investment, liberalization and facilitation through opening up ― and say no to protectionism,” he said Tuesday. “No one will emerge as a winner in a trade war.”

The World Economic Forum noted in a press release that since Trump’s surprise victory, “China has emerged as a potential new leader on the global stage ― and today’s address does little to soften the impression that President Xi is taking an increasingly assertive stance on matters of global trade and climate change.”

Since his election, Trump has repeatedly clashed with China, which he has promised to get tough on.